Post by Lone4eagle on Jan 2, 2008 12:17:12 GMT -6
The Sacred Bundle, so neatly wrapped and the Medicine Bag containing the Bundle, have been long associated with the Vision Quest. In old times a young man was expected, while yet a teenager, to complete this rite of passage. The boy would consult the Medicine Man for guidance. Off to the wilderness he went, to spend 2-4 days in a circle. Family members could bring him water, but fasting was required during the Vision Quest. The young man also had with him, the Medicine Bag, prepared according to the tradition of the Elders.
Smudging Your Medicine Bag
A new Sacred Bundle or Medicine Bag is smudged first, all of it's contents. The size may vary, but can be as large as 12-14" in length. You will need to add inside it, a small tobacco bag, another small bag of corn pollen or corn meal. A piece of Flint or Obsidian should be considered.
These are the basic items to start with.
1. One or more of stones, minerals, crystals.
2. One or more representations of animals (Feathers, claws, bone, teeth).
3. One or more of plants, trees.
4. One or more representation for technology.
5. During your first Vision Quest, special objects found should be added. These are a representation of power, the spiritual path.
Smudge the items before going on the Vision Quest. Take a piece of red felt to wrap the contents into a neat bundle. The sacred objects found during a Vision Quest, need not be smudged first before adding. You should however, do a ceremony for opening the bundle, when adding or remove items. Don't allow other people to handle the Medicine Bag or it will need smudging again.
Sacred Prayer Stones
Quartz Crystals
Quartz crystals are associated with the "Beautiful Rainbow Bridge" and the seven prismatic colors. Quartz crystals work by balancing the energy field of your body. Crystals can be used for balancing and to amplify healing energies of other prayer stones (such as Turquoise). Many stones can be combined, along with Quartz crystals for stronger medicine. In a circle, the crystal should be placed as a pointer, toward a healing direction. This will depend on what Bear you associate with healing. For example, Grizzly Bear, West or Brown Bear, South (if that is according to your heritage).
Healing With Bear Medicine
All Bears represent a very strong healing medicine. Bear claws dig medicine roots. Some carved Indian pipestone bowls have a Bear effigy. A good Medicine Bag for healing would be a beaded one, with Bears in ceremonial colors. Also a beaded Pipe Bag should be considered. Here are some guidelines for selecting colors for beading Bears or adding colored feathers. The type of healing stone is recommended.
GREEN-Amethyst and Rose Quartz (including tumbled or rough). Both stones (combined) are compatible together and promote healing growth. Good for healing physical injuries and is very powerful medicine. Use either a Amethyst or clear Quartz crystal pointer (in a healing direction).
RED-Rose Quartz and a clear Quartz crystal directional pointer. Gives physical strength, increases electrical energy of the body. Similar to the way massive doses of Vitamin C boost electrical impulses for the body to cleanse itself.
MEDIUM OR LIGHT BLUE-Turquoise stone and a clear Quartz crystal directional pointer. Produces sleep, cures worries or anxiety, often takes away the headache (if they have one) of those performing the ceremony for healing.
ORANGE-Amber Agates, Carnelian with a Citrine crystal pointer. Some possible uses are relaxing the body, stress relief.
The Rainbow Tribe
A Sacred Pipe Ceremony and Eagle feather are recommended for this use of crystals. Follow the Rainbow Bridge by placing a Quartz crystal toward the East. Spirit helpers may first appear as one of the prismatic colors of the Rainbow. You are the Rainbow Warrior!
Spiritual Prayer Power
Feathers have a sacred meaning in prayer. In one Lakota legend Wakan Tanka waved two Eagle feathers to create dry land, from mud brought up out of water by a Turtle. This legend explains how the world had become corrupted and needed to be created new again.
"There was another world before this one. But the people of that world did not behave themselves. Displeased, Wakan Tanka (the Great Spirit) set out to make a new world, He sang several songs to bring rain, which poured stronger with each song. As he sang the fourth song, the earth split apart and water gushed up through the many cracks, causing a flood."
Holding a feather can enable spiritual communications to flow. In a circle, at times the feather is substituted for the Talking Stick. A Talking Stick gives a person the right to speak during a ceremony. Nobody else can interrupt by speaking, until they are holding it. Feathers aid us to connect with the spiritual in prayer.
Eagle feathers should be imitation, unless you are Native American and have one legally to use. For ceremonies, the hand dyed work fine.
East: Spotted Eagle
South: Golden Eagle
West: Bald Eagle
North: White Eagle
Smudging With Feathers
A single feather or prayer fan can be used in smudging ceremonies. The person first uses their hands to pull the smoke over their face and body as an act of cleansing. Smoke is fanned to each of the Four Directions. Then to Mother Earth, Father Sky, Great Spirit, in the center. All people present should be smudged by fanning smoke toward them.